Bupropion Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide
Key takeaways:
Bupropion is a prescription medication that treats depression and seasonal affective disorder. It comes in immediate-release, 12-hour sustained-release (Wellbutrin SR), and 24-hour extended-release (Wellbutrin XL, Forfivo XL, Aplenzin) oral tablets.
The typical target bupropion dosage is 300 mg daily. You’ll start with a lower dosage and work your way up to the target dosage after 3 to 7 days in most cases. How often you need to take bupropion depends on what dosage form you’re taking.
There are ways to save on the different bupropion medications. Many are available as lower-cost generics and have copay savings opportunities. GoodRx can help make your prescription more affordable.
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Table of contents
Bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, Forfivo XL, Aplenzin) is a medication that treats certain types of depression.
Bupropion comes in several forms, and each form has a different recommended dosage. Here, we’ll review the various forms and dosages of bupropion to help you get the most from your medication.
Remember that your healthcare team may prescribe a different dosage for you than those described below. Always follow your prescriber’s instructions.
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What dosage forms does bupropion come in?
There are three forms of bupropion for depression:
Immediate-release (IR) tablets
Sustained-release (SR) tablets, which release medication over 12 hours
Extended-release (XR) tablets, which release medication over 24 hours
Each form of bupropion comes in different doses and is FDA-approved for different uses, as shown in the chart below.
Dosage Form | Doses | Approved Use |
75 mg 100 mg | Depression | |
Bupropion SR tablets (Wellbutrin SR) | 100 mg 150 mg 200 mg | Depression |
Bupropion XL tablets (Wellbutrin XL) | 150 mg 300 mg | Depression Seasonal affective disorder |
Bupropion XL tablets (Forfivo XL) | 450 mg | Depression |
Bupropion hydrobromide XL (Aplenzin) | 174 mg 348 mg 522 mg | Depression Seasonal affective disorder |
The pharmacy label for both bupropion SR and bupropion XL may read “bupropion extended-release.” But it should also mention a “12-hour” or “24-hour” designation to avoid confusion. Ask for clarification if it isn’t clear which form of bupropion you’re taking.
You can take bupropion with or without food. But taking it with food may help reduce the chance of nausea. You shouldn’t crush, chew, or split bupropion tablets. Ask your prescriber about other options if you have trouble swallowing pills.
Good to know: Bupropion is also approved for smoking cessation under the brand name Zyban. But we only cover the forms of bupropion used for depression-related symptoms in this article.
What’s the typical bupropion dosage for adults?
The recommended bupropion dosage for adults depends on why you’re taking it and which dosage form you’re prescribed. Bupropion isn’t approved for children, but it’s sometimes prescribed for them off-label. In this case, your pediatrician will review the recommended dosage for your child.
Depression
For depression, the recommended bupropion dosages are as follows:
For bupropion IR, the dosage starts at 100 mg twice daily. After 3 days, it will typically be increased to 100 mg three times a day, at least 6 hours apart. If your symptoms haven’t improved after several weeks, your prescriber may increase your dosage to 100 mg four times a day. Doses over 450 mg per day aren’t recommended.
For bupropion SR, the dosage starts at 150 mg once daily. After 3 days, it will typically be increased to 150 mg twice daily, at least 8 hours apart. After several weeks, your prescriber may increase your dosage to 200 mg twice daily, if needed. Doses over 400 mg daily aren’t recommended.
For Wellbutrin XL, the dosage starts at 150 mg every morning. After 4 days, it will likely be increased to the target dosage of 300 mg once daily.
For Aplenzin, the dosage starts at 174 mg once daily in the morning. After 4 days, it will typically be increased to the target dosage of 348 mg once daily.
For Forfivo XL, the recommended dosage is 1 tablet (450 mg) once daily. But you shouldn’t take Forfivo XL unless you’ve been taking at least 300 mg of bupropion per day for at least 2 weeks. It isn’t meant for people who are new to taking bupropion.
It’s possible to switch from one form of bupropion to another. The main guidance is to keep the total daily dosage the same. For example, if you’re taking bupropion SR 150 mg twice a day, your prescriber may switch you to bupropion XL 300 mg once daily.
Aplenzin contains a different form of bupropion. The 348 mg dose of Aplenzin contains the same amount of medication as the 300 mg dose of other 24-hour forms of bupropion. If you’re interested in a different form of bupropion, talk to your prescriber about your options.
Seasonal affective disorder
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression brought on by the change in seasons. Only 24-hour extended-release bupropion is approved for seasonal affective disorder. This includes Wellbutrin XL and its generic, as well as Aplenzin.
What does taking Wellbutrin feel like? Read first-hand accounts of what it feels like to take Wellbutrin for depression.
How does Wellbutrin work? Wellbutrin’s mechanism of action is different from that of other antidepressants. Here’s how it works in your body.
What are Wellbutrin’s side effects? Learn what side effects are possible when taking bupropion and when to seek medical care.
For brand or generic Wellbutrin XL, the recommended starting dosage is 150 mg every morning. After 7 days, it may be increased to the target dosage of 300 mg per day. Dosages over 300 mg daily aren’t recommended.
For Aplenzin, the typical starting dosage is 174 mg once daily in the morning. After 7 days, it may be increased to the target dosage of 348 mg once daily. Dosages over 348 mg daily aren’t recommended.
In some cases, your prescriber may have you start taking bupropion in the fall and taper off of it in the spring. This allows you to only take the medication when you need it, instead of year-round. Follow your prescriber’s directions closely for doing this. Stopping Wellbutrin XL or Aplenzin suddenly can lead to unpleasant side effects that can be dangerous.
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
If you have certain medical conditions, you may need a different dosage of bupropion.
Dosage for people with kidney problems
Your body gets rid of bupropion primarily through your kidneys. If you have kidney problems, you may not be able to clear bupropion as quickly. This can raise bupropion levels and increase your risk of side effects.
You may need a lower dosage or less frequent doses of bupropion if you’re living with kidney problems. Forfivo XL isn’t recommended at all in this case, since there isn’t a lower dosage available.
Dosage for people with liver problems
Your liver also helps break down and remove bupropion from your body. If you have liver problems, your prescriber may start you at a lower bupropion dosage and increase it over a longer time than usual.
If you have moderate or severe liver problems, the maximum recommended dosages are:
Bupropion IR: 75 mg per day
Bupropion SR: 100 mg per day or 150 mg every other day
Bupropion XL: 150 mg every other day
Aplenzin: 174 mg every other day
Forfivo XL isn’t recommended
Good to know: You may also need a different bupropion dosage if you take other medications that interact with it. Be sure to review your current medication list with your healthcare team before you start taking bupropion.
What happens if you miss a dose of bupropion?
If you miss a dose of bupropion, skip the missed dose. Don’t take the missed dose later in the day or take two doses to make up for the missed dose. Bupropion levels remain high for quite some time after your last dose. So you shouldn’t notice any significant side effects after one missed dose.
If you miss multiple doses in a row, contact your healthcare team for guidance. If this is a common issue, try using a medication organizer or medication reminder app. Both are useful ways to help you remember to take your medication.
What should you do if you take too much bupropion?
If you take an extra dose of bupropion by mistake, you may experience more side effects, such as tremors, agitation, or dizziness. These should resolve on their own, but contact your prescriber if any side effects are concerning.
Large amounts of bupropion can increase your risk for seizures and serious heart problems. In some cases, these can be life-threatening.
If you think you or someone you love took too much bupropion, contact your prescriber or reach out to Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. They can help determine the next best steps. If you are experiencing severe side effects, such as seizures or chest pain, call 911 or seek emergency medical care.
How to save on bupropion
There are ways to save on the different forms of bupropion. GoodRx can help you navigate your options, which may include GoodRx discounts, copay savings cards, and patient assistance programs.
Bupropion IR is only available as a generic medication. Generic bupropion’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $16.20 with a free GoodRx discount.
Bupropion SR is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. You can pay as little as $7.50 for the generic with a free GoodRx discount.
Wellbutrin XL is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. The generic costs as low as $7.29 with a free GoodRx discount. If you have commercial insurance, you can get brand-name Wellbutrin XL for as little as $5 per month with a manufacturer copay card.
Forfivo XL is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. GoodRx can help you save over 65% off the average retail price of the generic version. A copay savings card can lower the price of brand-name Forfivo XL to $28 per prescription if you have commercial insurance.
Aplenzin is only available as a brand-name medication. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $5 for Aplenzin using a savings card from the manufacturer.
The bottom line
Bupropion is a prescription medication that treats depression and seasonal affective disorder. It comes in immediate-release, 12-hour sustained-release (Wellbutrin SR), and 24-hour extended-release (Wellbutrin XL, Forfivo XL, Aplenzin) oral tablets.
The target dosage for all forms of bupropion (except Forfivo XL) is 300 mg daily (348 mg for Aplenzin). You’ll likely start with a lower dosage and work your way up to the target dosage after 3 to 7 days. How often you need to take bupropion depends on which dosage form you’re prescribed.
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References
Accord Healthcare Inc. (2023). Bupropion hydrochloride- bupropion hydrochloride tablet, extended release [package insert].
Alberter, A. A., et al. (2022). Bupropion toxicity. StatPearls.
Al-Akchar, M., et al. (2022). Long QT syndrome. StatPearls.
Bausch Health US, LLC. (2024). Aplenzin- bupropion hydrobromide tablet, extended release [package insert].
Huecker, M. R., et al. (2023). Bupropion. StatPearls.
MedlinePlus. (2018). Bupropion.
PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2024). Bupropion hydrochloride- bupropion hydrochloride tablet, film coated [package insert].
TWi Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2024). Forfivo XL- bupropion hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release [package insert].
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